Science - 2018-19

PH.12 - Non-Newtonian Physics

The student will investigate and
understand that extremely large and extremely small quantities are not
necessarily described by the same laws as those studied in Newtonian physics.
Key concepts may include

a)wave/particle duality;

b)wave properties of matter;

c)matter/energy equivalence;

d)quantum mechanics and
uncertainty;

e)relativity;

f)nuclear physics;

g) nanotechnology;

i)superconductivity; and

j)radioactivity.

Bloom's Levels: Analyze; Understand

Adopted: 2010

BIG IDEAS

I can explain how satellite radio works.

I can explain the science behind the atomic bombs that ended WWII.

I can explain how atomic clocks work.

I can explain what might happen to my body if I were to travel at the speed of light.

I can explain how and why nuclear energy is useful.

I can explain how solids impact technology and its applications.

I can explain how nanotubes deliver medicine to certain parts of the body.

I can explain how MRIs are produced and used in medicine.

I can explain how scientists are able to date fossils.

UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARD

The concepts
developed in this standard include the following:

For processes that are important
on the atomic scale, objects exhibit both wave characteristics (e.g.,
interference) as well as particle characteristics (e.g., discrete amounts and a
fixed definite number of electrons per atom).

Nuclear physics is the study of
the interaction of the protons and neutrons in the atom’s nucleus.

The nuclear force binds protons
and neutrons in the nucleus. Fission is the breakup of heavier nuclei to
lighter nuclei. Fusion is the combination of lighter nuclei to heavier nuclei.

Dramatic examples of mass-energy
transformation are the fusion of hydrogen in the sun, which provides light and
heat for Earth, and the fission process in nuclear reactors that provide
electricity.

Natural radioactivity is the
spontaneous disintegration of unstable nuclei. Alpha, beta, and gamma rays are
different emissions associated with radioactive decay.

The special theory of relativity
predicts that energy and matter can be converted into each other.

Objects cannot travel faster
than the speed of light.

The atoms and molecules of many
substances in the natural world, including most metals and minerals, bind
together in regular arrays to form crystals. The structure of these crystals is
important in determining the properties of these materials (appearance,
hardness, etc.).

Certain materials at very low
temperatures exhibit the property of zero resistance called superconductivity.

Electrons in orbitals can be
treated as standing waves in order to model the atomic spectrum.

Quantum mechanics requires an
inverse relationship between the measurable location and the measurable
momentum of a particle. The more accurately one determines the position of a
particle, the less accurately the momentum can be known, and vice versa. This
is known as the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Matter behaves differently at
nanometer scale (size and distance) than at macroscopic scale.

ESSENTIALS

In order to meet this standard, it is expected
that students will

a)explain that the motion of
objects traveling near or approaching the speed of light does not follow
Newtonian mechanics but must be treated within the theory of relativity.

b)describe the structure of the atomic
nucleus, including quarks.

h)provide examples of technologies
used to explore the nanoscale.

a-j) describe the relationship between the Big
Bang theory timeline and particle physics.